Hertz Gold Membership gives you faster pickups, may provide car types, and discounts on rental rates

Hertz Gold is Hertz's loyalty program that waives the standard paperwork at pickup, guarantees you'll get your chosen car category (or a better one), and gives you a discount on the base rental rate. You don't pay to join — it's free — but the real value depends on how often you rent and which discounts you actually use.

The program works across Hertz locations in the United States and internationally. When you show up to pick up a car, Gold members skip the counter line and go straight to the lot, where your car is already assigned. That saves 10 to 15 minutes on a typical rental. You also get a may provide car type: if you reserved a mid-size sedan and the lot is short, Hertz upgrades you rather than downgrading you.

The discount itself varies. Hertz advertises it as a percentage off the base rate, but the actual savings depend on the location, the rental dates, and the car type. A Gold member might save 10 percent on one rental and 5 percent on another at the same location on different dates. You see the discount applied at checkout, not as a separate coupon code.

Key Takeaways

  • Hertz Gold membership is free to join and gives you a discount on base rental rates, though the percentage varies by location and date.
  • Gold members skip the rental counter and go straight to the lot, and Hertz guarantees your car category or upgrades you if that type is unavailable.
  • The membership also includes a free additional driver, which normally costs $13 to $15 per day at Hertz.
  • You break even on the time savings alone if you rent more than three or four times a year, and the rate discount adds value on top of that.
  • Gold membership does not waive damage waivers, fuel charges, or taxes — those are separate costs you still pay at checkout.

What Gold membership includes and what it doesn't

Gold members get three concrete benefits: the counter skip, the car category may provide, and a rate discount. The counter skip is the most consistent. You walk past the rental desk, go to the lot, and your car is waiting with the keys ready. This works at most Hertz locations in the US, though some smaller airport locations may have different procedures.

The car category may provide means if you book a mid-size sedan and the lot has none available, Hertz gives you the next size up at no extra charge. This applies to your reserved category only — you don't get an upgrade just because you ask. If you reserved a compact and mid-sizes are available, you stay in a compact.

The rate discount is applied to the base rental rate before taxes and fees. It does not cover the damage waiver (which you can decline or purchase separately), fuel charges, airport fees, or taxes. Those are added after the discount is calculated. So if the base rate is $100 and you get a 10 percent Gold discount, you pay $90 plus taxes, fees, and any optional coverage you choose.

Gold membership also includes one free additional driver. At Hertz, adding a second driver normally costs $13 to $15 per day. For a week-long rental, that's $91 to $105 saved just on the second driver.

How the discount rate is set and when it changes

Hertz does not publish a fixed Gold discount percentage. Instead, the discount is built into the rate you see when you search as a Gold member. When you enter your rental dates and location into the Hertz website or app, the system shows you the Gold rate automatically if you're logged in. That rate already includes the discount.

The discount varies because Hertz uses dynamic pricing, the same method airlines and hotels use. On a busy weekend in a popular city, the Gold discount might be 5 percent. On a slow Tuesday in a smaller market, it might be 15 percent or higher. The discount is larger when demand is low and smaller when demand is high.

You can see what you're saving by logging out and searching the same rental as a non-member. The difference between the non-member rate and the Gold rate is your discount. This comparison is useful if you're deciding whether to join, though remember that the counter skip and car may provide have value even if the rate discount is small.

How to join and use your membership

You join Hertz Gold on the Hertz website or through the Hertz mobile app. The process takes about five minutes and requires your name, email, phone number, and driver's license number. There is no cost and no credit card required to join.

Once you're enrolled, you're automatically a Gold member on every rental you make with Hertz. You don't need to enter a membership number or present a card — Hertz looks you up by your email or phone number at the counter or on the app. If you book through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, you may not get your Gold benefits, so book directly through Hertz or call Hertz directly to may support your membership is applied.

At pickup, tell the attendant you're a Gold member if you're not using the app to check in. Some locations have a dedicated Gold lane or lot section. If you're using the Hertz app, you can check in mobile and skip the counter entirely — your car location is sent to your phone, and you go straight to the lot.

When the membership saves you the most money

The membership pays for itself in time savings if you rent three or four times a year. Each counter skip saves you 10 to 15 minutes, which adds up quickly if you travel regularly. The free additional driver is worth $91 to $105 per week-long rental, so a single week-long trip with a second driver covers that benefit for the year.

The rate discount is harder to predict because it changes with demand. On a high-demand weekend, you might save 5 percent. On a low-demand weekday, you might save 15 percent. Over the course of a year, if you rent six times, the discount could total anywhere from $30 to $200 depending on when and where you rent.

The car category may provide is most valuable if you often rent in busy markets like Las Vegas, Miami, or New York during peak season. In those places, specific car types do run out. In smaller markets or off-season, the may provide rarely matters because the lot usually has stock.

Membership does not include insurance or damage coverage

Hertz Gold does not include a damage waiver or liability insurance. When you rent a car, you're responsible for any damage to the vehicle. You can decline coverage if your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental cars, but you have to make that choice at checkout. Hertz will ask you about coverage regardless of your membership status.

The damage waiver (called a Loss Damage Waiver or LDW at Hertz) costs $15 to $30 per day depending on the car type and location. Your personal insurance or credit card may cover this, so check your policy before you rent. Gold membership does not reduce this cost.

Liability insurance is separate and covers damage you cause to other vehicles or property. It's required by law in every state, but Hertz assumes you have it through your personal policy. If you don't, you can purchase it from Hertz, but again, Gold membership does not reduce the cost.

Comparing Hertz Gold to other rental loyalty programs

Most major rental companies offer free loyalty programs similar to Hertz Gold. Enterprise Plus, Avis Preferred, and Budget Fastbreak all waive the counter line and offer rate discounts. The discount percentages and benefits vary slightly, but the structure is the same: free to join, counter skip, and a rate discount that changes with demand.

The main difference is the car may provide. Hertz Gold guarantees your car category or upgrades you. Enterprise Plus and Avis Preferred offer priority for upgrades but don't may provide them. If you often rent specific car types and want certainty, Hertz Gold's may provide is a meaningful advantage.

If you rent from multiple companies, joining all three programs costs nothing and gives you options. You can compare rates across Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis for the same rental and book with whichever offers the best deal and the most convenient location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to join Hertz Gold?

No. Hertz Gold is free to join and has no annual fee. You sign up on the Hertz website or app with your name, email, and driver's license number. Membership is when ready and active on your next rental.

Can I use my Gold membership if I book through Expedia or another travel site?

Usually not. Third-party booking sites often don't pass your membership information to Hertz, so you won't get your discount or benefits. Book directly through Hertz.com or call Hertz to may support your Gold membership is applied.

What if my reserved car type isn't available when I arrive?

Hertz upgrades you to the next size category at no extra charge. You don't get a downgrade. If you reserved a mid-size and only compacts are available, you get a mid-size or larger. If you reserved a compact and only mid-sizes are available, you get a mid-size.

Does Gold membership cover damage to the rental car?

No. Membership does not include a damage waiver or insurance. You're responsible for damage unless you purchase a Loss Damage Waiver at checkout or your personal auto insurance covers rentals. Check your policy before you rent.

How much will I save with the Gold discount?

The discount varies by location, date, and demand. It can range from 5 percent to 15 percent or more off the base rate. You see the exact discount when you search for a rental while logged into your Gold account. Compare it to the non-member rate to see what you're saving.